Dear John…

As the number of young Kiwis out of
work or not in training or education continues to grow, the
ink also appears to have dried up on the Prime Minister’s
letter writing campaign to get more trainees into work, says
Labour’s Youth Affairs spokesperson Megan Woods.

“John Key made a huge noise in September about
the fact he was personally
writing to 175 employers with a request they take on a
Limited Service Volunteer graduate.

“It was, he
said at the time, ‘a new initiative to get more young
people into work’. He would continue to write to employers
over the coming months.

“However answers to
written parliamentary questions show he hasn’t followed up
on that promise. There have been no more
letters.

“Nor does anybody know whether any of
the initial 175 employers actually took on a graduate. Once
someone cancels their benefit or stops receiving financial
assistance there is no obligation on them to inform the
Ministry of Social Development of their new status or
circumstances.

“So once again we have the Prime
Minister trumpeting a proposal that is, ostensibly about
helping out of work teens get work, but in reality is
nothing more than a political stunt.

“It follows
a round of similar ‘initiatives’ in education and
welfare that do little more than gloss over the
Government’s complete failure to tackle the youth
unemployment problem.

“If John Key is finding it
so difficult to put pen to paper, he might also like to
reconsider his penchant for making promises he knows he
won’t
keep.”

ALSO:

WorkSafe NZ has laid one charge against the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in relation to the shooting at the MSD Ashburton office on 1 September 2014 in which two Work and Income staff were killed and another was injured. More>>

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has announced his intention to stand in the Northland by-election, citing his own links to the electorate and ongoing neglect of the region by central government. More>>

The Government has appointed 12 New Zealanders as members of the Flag Consideration Panel which will engage with the public about a possible new New Zealand flag, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says. More>>

ALSO:

ALSO:

The first I knew of my mother’s charges was when I was called by a reporter yesterday. I spoke to Andrew and we agreed there is a conflict of interest at the present time which means I will temporarily stand aside from the Social Development portfolio. It’s the right thing to do… . More>>